Hopefully all have recovered from the hectic holiday season and, as we are doing, are ready to resume working our way through all of our every-day Community issues.

Inspection of the Hidden Hills Rec Center will soon be proposed by several engineering and architecture firms to be chosen as a vendor of choice in producing a “state of the building” report. As you may know, the building has apparent structural rot and deterioration, and the extent of which is unknown.  Although the ceiling beams have been shored up, the side footings of the building are rotted and in need of restoration work.  This may also serve as a guide for us in dealing with future like problems to other buildings in the Community.  Most of the building are 30-36 years old, and could have similar issues. This situation will be watched very closely by the board, maintenance, and me

The process of replacing some carpeting (with carpet tiles) and broken pool and ping-pong tables are in the works for the StoneyBrook/Cambridge Rec Center.

The Village has assured us that they will keep a closer watch on both lights and potholes (under their domain) to perform more timely repairs.

This month, we are finishing up with the audit report and meeting for 2008 and will be beginning the preparation process for the 2009 tax year review.

Most of the residential copies of the Declarations and By-Laws from the individual Associations have been received by Umbrella and passed along to the Banks, allowing us to continue the underwriting process for our possible infrastructure loan to occur in the spring.  The Board will revisit the loan rates from the Bank vendors who have previously presented their programs to the Board last fall.

Bids are coming in for renewal of our Association general insurance for the 2010 renewal period in March.

So far, we have been very pleased with the performance of the new snow shoveling company contracted for the season. We have had a decline in snow this season compared to last, but the shovelers have preformed very well.  Also, it is advisable for all residents to keep a little ice melt to sprinkle on suddenly-appearing ice patches.  Our snow crews are not on property 24 hour-a-day, and icy spots may suddenly threaten your safety.  Try to pitch in a little to keep your walking areas as clean as you require and as needed.

Between snow removal efforts, our Maintenance and Landscaping departments are busy painting, doing dormant pruning, revising operational procedures and plans, overhauling equipment and much more.  And I’m glad to report that we have been receiving nothing but great compliments this year for our snow removal operations.

If you have not been to a CRF function in awhile, please make an attempt soon to get out and join the lively bunch for a fun time. Our clubhouse functions are a great amenity to our Community.

Bob Marcus, CMCA, AMS Community Manager